Thermal relay



1 May 15, 1928. v 1,669,520

H. D. HINELINE THERMAL RELAY Filed Feb. 3, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /r/Q l 59:2. *5g 3.

/C/:Q INVIENTOR 777% ATTORNEY .May 1.5. .1928.,

l",669,52() .l H. D. HINELINE THERMAL RELAY Filed Feb. 192:5 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 33 i (O l &- 123456 789 w|TNEssEs= INVENToR ATTORNEY Patented May is, 192e.A

maar@ HARRIS D. BENELINE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTNG- HOUSE ELECTRIG'c MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYL VANIA.

anna-MAI.

Application le February 3, 1923. Serial No. 616,767.

My invention relates to thermal rela s of the cartridge type and more particular y to meansv for indicating the energization thereof. j'.

One object of my invention is to provide means for indicating the degree of energization of a thermal relay of the cartridge type.

Another object of my invention is to provide means .for indicating the degree of energization of a relay of this character which is responsive to the temperature of the er1-- vtire relay.

It is also an object of my invention to provide ,a thermal relay which is simple to manufacture and of rugged construction.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a primary thermal-responsive member for controlling a relay circuit upon conditions of overload in a lprimary circuit,

and, also, to provide a secondary thermal-responsive element for indicating the degree of energization, or the thermal state, within the relay. y

ln cartridge relays, as heretofore constructed, no means have been.provided for indicating the degree of energization of the relay member until a reaction took place which was indicated by the interruption of the electrical circuit protected by the relayy member. By m invention, I provide means for indicating t e degree of energization, or the thermal condition, of the relay at all times, so that warning may be had of the condition 'of the relay in advance of the actual tripping of the main electrical circuit, thereby permitting `employment of means forrelieving conditions in that circuit' other than the actual interruption thereof.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a longitudinal sectional view of a thermal relay embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the relay taken 'at right angles to that of Fi l. Figl .3 is a longitudinal sectional view,

on anenlarged scale, of some ofthe parts.

' v shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. lv is a view, in transverse section, of

my thermal relay, showing the position o' the indicating means.

Fig. 5 is an .edge view, partly in section, of a metallic cylindrical element employed in my invention.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the same.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are views of parts of the indicating mechanism embodied in a preferred form of 'my invention.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of theassembled parts of my preferred form of indicator.

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail -view,similar to Fig. 8, of another form of my invention.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of the modified form of indicator.

Similar reference numerals in the several views indicate like parts.

In the preferred form of my invention, l utilize a tube or cylinder 1 of insulatin material which is preferably in the form o a plurality of layers of prepared paper or micarta. l close the ends of the cylinder 1 by suitable insulating bushings 3 held in place by` metallic ferrulese and screws 5, with terminal conductors e 6 projecting through the bushings.

An inner cylindrical member 7, which is shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6, is secured within the cylinder 1 in any suitable manner, as by screws 8 and 9. One end of the member 7 is preferably cut 0E at an oblique angle to the axis of the cylinder to provide a tapered end l2. The other end of the cylinder 7 is provided with diametrally o posed slots which extend longitudinally thereof.

Lv bimetallic element 10 is so mounted within the member 7 that the edges of an end portion thereof are disposed in the opposed, longitudinally extending slots located in the 7member 7. The edges of the element 10 may be maintained in ositive electrically conductive relation with the member 7 by soldering or brazing them thereto. The element 10 is also provided .with a tapered end or tongue portion 14 vwhich is freeI to move within the member 7 .1A pair of tailpieces 13 are clamped on :both sides of the lower portion of the elenient 10, both of .which are providednihith end portions that are bent at an angle thereto and which project beyond the soldered to the spindle 29.

portion of the element 10. One end of a exible conductor 15 may be secured to the bentportions of the members 13. The iiexible conductor 15 connects the tail piece 13 to the adjacent terminal conductor 6. Within the inner end of the member 7 and surrounding the end of the tongue 14, is a band of insulating material 16 and a band of conducting material 17. An adjustable screw pluO 18, supported by the band 17, extends tirough openings in members 1 and 7, to constitute means for adjusting the normal posit-ion of a contact member 19 with which the end of the tongue 14 is provided. A friction member 18iL is provided to hold the screw 18 in any desired position. screw 21 is also mounted in registering openings in the members 1 and 7 to constitute an electrical connection 'between the band 17 and an external conductor 22.

An indicating mechanism 23 is mounted on the end 12 of the member 7 A flexible conductor 24 connects the tip of end 12 ofthe member 7 to the adjacent terminal conductor 6. The resistance of the flexible conductors 15 and 24 is such that the amount of heat generated thereby is suiiicientto provide the heat loss at the ends of the device by reason of the heat conducted away therefrom by the terminal conductors 6.

Indicator 23, as shown in Figs. 4 and 10, comprisesa frame 25 of U-shape which is secured, by devices 26, to the end 12 of cylinder 7 A thermally-responsive bimetallic spiral spring 27, is secured, as at 28, to portion 12 of cylinder 7 and to a spindle 29 that is adjustably mounted on the arms 31 of member 25. An arm 32 is rigidly secured 1n the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, arm 32 is provided with a plate 33 calibrated to indicate units of current, temperature or percentage of ener 'zation, as desired. The development of this indicator is shown in Figs. 7 8 and 9, Fi 7 being a plan view thereof, Fig.- 8 an en view thereof, and Fig. 9 adetail of the blank from which members 32 and 33 are shaped. An `opening 34 is provided in the cylinder 1 at a point opposite the indicator 33 for co-operation therewith (see Fig. 3). This yopenin may be provided with a window mem er such as mica, if desired.l

ln the form of my inventionl shown in Figs. 11 and 12, an arm 35 is attached to the spindle 29 and extends through an opening 36 in the cylinder 1, and co-operates with a scale 37 afixed to the exterior of the cylinder 1 A plate 38 is attached to the arm 35 to prevent the entrance of foreign bodies into'the cylinder 1 through theopening 36.

In the operation of my invention, a electrical circuit is connected to the conductor 6 by suitable means (not shown). The curkmy invention.l I

rent then traverses the conductors 6 and 15 to the tail piece 13. By referring to Figs. 1,'2 and 5, it may be observed vthat the members 10'and 25 are insulated by air from the ends of the device. The current on leaving the tail piece 13 traverses the bimetallic element 10 and then the metallic cylinder 7 and generates heat in accordance with the Well known 12R rule. This current is again collected at the tip 12 of the cylinder 7, from whence it traverses conductors 24 and 6 to the external circui The combined heat generated by the current traversing the members 13, 10 and 7 affects the free end 14 of the bimetallic element 10, and when A the latter reaches a predetermined maximum temperature the element 14 is distorted until the movable contact member 19 is disengaged from the xed contact member 18, which causes an yexternal vcircuit to be opened in a manner and, with results, well known in this art.

The heat generated by the current in the various metallic portions of the relay are transferred to the springl mally responsive. As e temperature increases, the distortion of the spring 27 1ncreases in proportion, with an accompanying turning of the spindle 29, arm 32 and in-v dicator 33. Itis apparent that the indicia of the indicator 33, which opening 34 in the cylinder 1, is a guide to the temperature condition within the relay member, and the temperature Vcondition is, in turn, an indication of the integrated amount of electrical energy traversing the relay member, which is preferably in series connection with the circuit to be protected.

An attendant, upon observing the readings on scale 37 or window 34 is able to tell when a dangerous condition exists in the relay, and he may then take other steps to relieve the condition of the circuit without inter-l ruption thereof.

1n the modification shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the rotation of spindle 29 causes an arm to move externally of the spindle in relation to the scale y37, the operation of the two forms of relays being otherwise the same.

It may -thus be seen that I have provided a thermal relay which indicates externally its degreeof energization at all times, directly in proportion to the temperature affecting the bimetallic thermal relay member. rEhe construction of my cylinders provide a `uniform zone of temperature between the bimetallicrelay element and the indicator which temperature is substantially in accordance with the value of the current traversing the device. While 1 have shown my invention' in its preferred'form, it is apparent that modifications may be made in the arrangement of circuits and apparatus employed without departing from the spirit of desire, therefore, to be 27 which is theris opposite the incasso limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

d claim as my invention:

1., ln' a thermal relay of the cartridge type, the combination with a heat-producing bimetallic thermo-responsive member, of

means actuated by the heat produced by the thermo-responsive member for indicating the 'degree of energization of said relay.

. lducting thermo-responsive member'tor in- A dicatmg the degree of energlzation ot said relay..

ll. ln a thermal relay `of the cartridge type, the combination with a thermally responsive member, a metallic casing partially surrounding said thermally responsive member, and an outer casing surrounding Asaid metallic casing, 'of thermally responsive means for indicating the degree ot' energize-l tion ci3 said relay located within said outer casing.

5. ln a thermal relay of the cartridge type, the combination with a thermally responsive member, a metallic casing partially surrounding said thermally responsive member, and an outer casing, having an opening therein, surrounding said metallic casing, of thermally responsive means, observable' through said opening, for indicating the degree or energization of said relay and located within said outer casing. Y Y

6. ln a thermal relay of the cartridge type, the combination, with a thermally responsive member, a metallic casiing partially surrounding said thermally responsive member, and an outer casing surrounding said metallic-casing, of thermally responsive means `for indicating the degree of energization of said relay located within said outer casing and actuated in accordance with the temperature of the first-named thermally responsive member'.

7. In a thermal relay of the cartridge type, an outer casing, an inner metallic casing partially lling said outer casing, a thermoresponsive member partially inclosed by said metallic casing and in electrical lcontact therewith, an electrical conductor extending throu h said outer casing and attached to said t ermo-responsive member, an electrical conductor connected to said metallic casing and extending outside said outer casing, and

current-conducting an indicating-means mounted on a portion lof said metallic casing and co-operating with an opening in said outer casing.

8. A thermo-responsive indicator comprising a current-conducting c lindrical frame, a shaft mounted axially o said cylindrical frame, a thermally-responsive spring spirally mounted on said shaft, one end of said springbeing secured to said trame, the other end of said-spring being secured to said shaft, and .an indicator controlled by said shaft, whereby changes in the temperature of said device effect the actuation or' said indicator.

9. ln an electrical device, a casing, a current traversed thermally-responsive heatgenerating member disposed in said casing for disengaging a contact member at a predetermined temperature, and a thermally responsive member disposed in said casing for indicating` the temperature thereof.

10. lne thermal relay, a thermo-responsive cur'rent-conducting member for disengaging a contact member at apredetermined temperature, a temperature indicator, and a casing for enclosing said thermo-responsive member and said indicator and for maintaining a uniform temperature therewithin.

11. ln a thermal relay, in combination, a unitary heat-producing and heat-responsive means or disengaging a contact member, and a temperature-indicating means associated therewith.

12. ln ,a thermal relay, in combination, a heat-producing and heat-responsive mea-ns for disengaging a contact member and a temperature-indicating means associated therewith, said heat-producing and heatresponsive means and said temperature-indicating means constituting a unitary structure.

13. ln a thermal relay, the combination with an electrically-energized heat-producing and heat-responsive means, a temperature-indicating means, and an elongated casing for containing said two means, of current-traversed means in said casing, at each end thereof, for compensating for the flow of heat from said two means to the ends ofv said casing.`

14. In a thermal relay, the combination with an electrically-energized heat-producing means, a circuit-controlling means thermally-actuated thereby, of a temperatureindicating means associated with said two heating' means, land current-conducting means for ensuring that the temperature ot' the heat-producing means and the temperature of the,temperature-indicating means shall be substantially alike.

15. ln a thermal relay of cartridge type the combination with a current-conducting and heat-producing thermo-responsive circuit-controlling means, of current-.conduct- -heat from said meansto ing means for compensatinfor the iow of t e ends of said relay. 16. In a thermal relay, the combination with an insulating casing, of a cylindrical current-conducting .member located in said casing, a current-conducting thermo-responsive member located in and supported by said cylindrical member and eective to control an electrical circuit, a temperature indicator secured to said cylindrical member,

terminal members atthe ends of said casing,

subscribed my name this 26th day of J anuary, 1923.

HARRIS D. HINELINE.

terminal members and 

